Crossword Genius

Talents of sailor and I to get drunk with ciders every second (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abilities

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'talents' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'sailor and i to get drunk with ciders every second' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'to get drunk with' becomes 'lit' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'every second' indicates alternate letters (I've seen 'every second of' mean this).
The alternating letters of 'ciders' are 'ies'.
'ab'+'i'+'lit'+'ies'='ABILITIES'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abilities that I've seen before include "The powers to do" , "Talents" , "skills" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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